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LATE NEWS

[munich] Siemens by the end of this month is expected to appoint J. Walter Thompson Co., Frankfurt, to handle its $80 million to $100 million global account, including the launch of a new mobile phone. Of 10 agencies that originally pitched for the business, finalists were Ammirati Puris Lintas, Hamburg, and BBDO Worldwide, Duesseldorf. Siemens previously had used many agencies around the world.

[new york] Wells BDDP postponed about 100 staff cuts, resulting from the loss of Procter & Gamble Co.'s $125 million account, until midweek, while waiting for a decision from client Heineken USA. Steve Davis, VP-marketing at Heineken, said a decision on whether to keep the importer's $30 million account at Wells will come within days.

HBO kicks off $8 mil campaign for miniseries

[new york] Home Box Office is launching its largest ad campaign ever, for the Tom Hanks-produced "From the Earth to the Moon" miniseries. Ads bow Feb. 22 after the Olympics. Spending is an estimated $8 million; Intralink Film Graphic Design, Los Angeles, is handling.

Hallmark ads support low-price card lines

[kansas city, mo.] Hallmark Cards kicks off a new $10 million campaign today promoting its lower-price card lines. The campaign, from Leo Burnett USA, Chicago, will include TV, radio and in-store marketing that showcases the variety of Hallmark cards under $2.

Sony to break image campaign in March

[tokyo] A Sony Corp. global image campaign will break as soon as March, according to a person familiar with plans. Sony is working with Y&R Advertising, New York, on the project, expected to be an incremental TV and print brand campaign tying together Sony's consumer electronics, movie and music offerings. Sony declined comment.

Chevy to continue comparative truck ads

[warren, mich.] Chevrolet said it will continue to run an infomercial touting the speed and braking power of its new full-size truck, despite protests by rival Ford Motor Co.'s Ford Division (AA, Jan. 19). "We let [Ford] know that this has been verified and approved by our legal department," Chevy General Manager John Middlebrook told Automotive News. A Ford spokesman said Ford does not plan any action at this time.

BBDO, Grey remain in Pepsi media review

[purchase, n.y.] PepsiCo, originally eyeing a media consolidation, now appears to be leaning toward keeping its Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay national TV buying accounts separate. Executives close to the review said the marketer is looking to retain BBDO Worldwide, New York, on soft drinks and might be awarding Frito-Lay, now at TN Media, to newcomer Grey Advertising. Both those shops are based in New York. One hurdle Grey must overcome is that it was recently awarded creative on rival Procter & Gamble Co.'s Pringles brand. Media for Pringles remains at TeleVest, New York.

BellSouth kicks off $20 mil brand campaign

[atlanta] BellSouth broke a new corporate brand campaign during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics airing in all 45 markets of BellSouth's nine-state region. The campaign, created by WestWayne, uses a new theme line, "The neighborhood whiz kids." Spending will be $20 million.

AOL Studios division to be reorganized under AOL Networks

[vienna, va.] America Online is expected to announce this week a corporate restructuring that would move its AOL Studios content-creating division even closer to the core company. Instead of continuing to seek outside financing for AOL Studios, the division would be moved under Robert Pittman, AOL Networks division president-CEO. One analyst who follows the company said he also expects a consolidation of the three arms of AOL Studios -- Digital City, Greenhouse and World Play. AOL refused comment.

U.S. milk marketing groups integrate ad budgets

[washington] The National Fluid Milk Processors Education Program and Dairy Management Inc. are pooling their marketing budgets to create one $180 million account. The groups named Bozell Worldwide, New York, which handles the MilkPEP account, as "planning agency" to facilitate the melding of the two accounts, said MilkPEP Executive Director Kurt Graetzer. He added, however, that there are no plans to consolidate at one agency. DMI's media agency for milk is Leo Burnett USA, Chicago; creative is licensed from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco.

F.Y.I.

Miller Brewing Co. has secured exclusivity in the beer category in six magazine titles. A publishing executive with knowledge of the deal declined to name the books, saying only that they were trendy, young, hip and male-oriented. Miller declined comment. . . . Brent Bailey to exec VP, Del Monte Foods, from senior VP-general manager, household division, Dial Corp. . . . Teligent Inc., Vienna, Va., has chosen W.B. Doner & Co., Southfield, Mich., to handle its estimated $10 million fixed wireless service account. Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners, New York, was the other finalist. . . . Fruit of the Loom has begun contacting agencies for a review of its Gitano Jeans brand, previously at Mullen, Wenham, Mass. The review is being handled in-house. Spending is estimated at $3 million to $4 million. . . . Jan Hall to global brand director on Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Light, Coca-Cola Co., from marketing director, Coca-Cola Great Britain. . . . Arnold Communications, McLean, Va., has netted the $5 million account of Sallie Mae, Washington; KSF, New York, was the incumbent.